Medical imaging plays a pivotal role in the detection, diagnosis, and clinical management of primary soft tissue tumors. Various imaging modalities have been used, and each modality offers unique advantages in the workup of soft tissue tumors by localizing the lesions in different compartments of the body and characterizing macroscopic tissue composition of the lesions in a noninvasive and safe manner. We review the clinical role and technical aspects of the frequently used imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, ultrasonography, positron emission tomography, and plain radiography with an emphasis on MRI as a mainstay imaging modality and a brief discussion of advanced techniques. We also review imaging features of common soft tissue tumors that can be detected and characterized using current imaging techniques.
This review contains 54 figures, 1 table and 37 references.
Key words: computed tomography, diffusion-weighted imaging, imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, soft tissue, technique, tumor, ultrasonography
Are There Any Additional Benefits to Performing Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scans and Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Patients with Ground-Glass Nodules Prior to Surgery?
